February 03, 2005
Happy Birthday, Aurora - 10-Years-Old Today
It's been 10 years since I started Aurora WDC in the 12 by 25 feet on the eastern side of my Mom's beauty salon in the small Wisconsin town of Chetek.
Since then, I've learned starting and growing a business is a lot like having a real-life child, something I only came to appreciate first-hand 19-months ago, when my wife Tina gave birth to our son Liam. I witnessed struggle and growth, often more slowly than I'd hoped, sometimes wondering if it was such a good idea in the first place... especially through all those long nights at first... sometimes even failing outright to live up to the father's prideful aspirations.
But, I always realize, whatever the occasional sacrifices invested toward the joy only one's own offspring can offer, I'd gladly do it all again without changing a thing.
Okay, well, maybe there are some things I'd have changed... but not many and only with benefit of 20/20 hindsight.
In the decade past, company and founder alike have benefited from some remarkable contributions from amazingly creative and generous people - you know who you are. I'm forever grateful for the advice and support of everyone, from clients and staff to partners and other advisors, friends and family who've helped make Aurora what it is today. To say I couldn't have done it without you is the most ridiculous of understatements.
I'm looking forward to the next 10 years of blazing new trails together and hope you are too.
Thanks again and best wishes,
- Arik
p.s. - It's also my birthday today - I'm 35... so get me something nice. ;-)
Posted by Arik Johnson at February 3, 2005 04:14 PM
"Competitive Intelligence applies the lessons of competition and principles of intelligence to the need for every business to gain awareness and predictability of market risk and opportunity. By doing so, CI has the power to transform an enterprise from also-ran into a real winner, with agility enough to create and maintain sustainable competitive advantage."
